Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a display module configured to display an image and to be folded about a folding axis at a folding area defined on a plane; a support member below the display module; and a protective member between the display module and the support member. The support member includes a folding part overlapping the folding area and configured to be folded about the folding axis, and the folding part includes a plurality of joint portions extending parallel to the folding axis and connected to each other. Each of the joint portions includes a support surface supporting the display module, and when the support member is folded, a cusp point is formed between adjacent ones of the support surfaces on a cross-section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/847,568, filed Dec. 19, 2017, which claims priority to andthe benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0052490, filed onApr. 24, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a displayapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display apparatus displays various images on a display screen toprovide information to a user. Recently, display apparatuses includingflexible display members and capable of being folded or rolled are beingdeveloped. A flexible display apparatus is designed to be folded,rolled, or bent like paper, unlike a rigid or non-flexible flat displayapparatus. The flexible display apparatus capable of varying in shapemay be easily carried and enhance users' convenience.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display apparatus having improveddurability.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display apparatusincluding: a display module configured to display an image and to befolded about a folding axis at a folding area defined on a plane; asupport member below the display module; and a protective member betweenthe display module and the support member. The support member includes afolding part overlapping the folding area and configured to be foldedabout the folding axis. The folding part includes a plurality of jointportions extending parallel to the folding axis and connected to eachother, and each of the joint portions include a support surfacesupporting the display module. When the support member is folded, a cusppoint is formed between adjacent ones of the support surfaces on across-section.

The support member may further include a support plate connected to thefolding part and overlapping a non-folding area of the display modulethat is adjacent to the folding area on the plane.

The protective member may include: a first portion overlapping thefolding area; and a second portion overlapping the non-folding area, andthe first portion may include a material different from that of thesecond portion.

The first portion may have a strength that is less than that of thesecond portion.

The support plate may have a thickness greater than that of the foldingpart.

The display apparatus may further include an adhesion member between thesupport member and the protective member to couple the support member tothe protective member.

The protective member may have a strength greater than that of thedisplay module and equal to or less than that of the support member.

The protective member may include metal.

The protective member may include a plastic material.

The folding part may further include a plurality of connection membersrespectively connecting adjacent ones of the joint portions to eachother, and each of the joint portions may be configured to rotate toallow the folding part to be folded.

Each of the joint portions may further include a bottom surface oppositethe support surface and nearer to the folding axis than the supportsurface is.

The support surface may have a surface area greater than that of thebottom surface.

Each of the joint portions may have a reverse trapezoidalcross-sectional shape.

Each of the joint portions may further include a plurality of sidesurfaces extending between the support surface and the bottom surface,and corners between the support surface and the side surfaces may have achamfered shape.

Each of the joint portions may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

The support surface may include a curved surface.

The protective member may have a surface area equal to that of thefolding area.

The display module may include: a display member configured to displaythe image; and an input detection member on the display member andconfigured to detect an external input. The input detection member mayinclude a plurality of input detection sensors.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display apparatusincluding: a display module configured to display an image and to befolded about a folding axis at a folding area defined on a plane; asupport member below the display module; and a protective member betweenthe display module and the support member. The support member includes afolding part overlapping the folding area and configured to be foldedabout the folding axis, and the folding part includes a plurality ofjoint portions connected to each other and extending parallel to thefolding axis.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display apparatusincluding: a display module configured to display an image and to befolded about a folding axis at a folding area defined on a plane; asupport member below the display module; and a protective member betweenthe display module and the support member. The support member includes aplurality of joint portions extending parallel to the folding axis. Eachof the plurality of joint portions includes a support surface supportingthe display module, and each of the support surfaces has a flat plateshape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, explain aspects and features of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 inan outwardly folded state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the display module shownin FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating one pixel of thedisplay apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a folding area of the display apparatus inthe outwardly folded state;

FIGS. 8A-8C are enlarged views of a folding part according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 9A-9C are enlarged views of a folding part according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 10A-10C are enlarged views of a folding part according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 11A-11C are enlarged views of a folding part according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of a display apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of the inventive concept and implementation methodsthereof will be clarified through the following embodiments describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may,however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete andwill fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled inthe art. The present disclosure is to be defined by the scope of claimsand their equivalents. Like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

It will also be understood that when an element or a layer is referredto as being “on” another element or layer, it can be directly on theother element or layer or intervening elements or layers may also bepresent. When an element is referred to as being “directly on” anotherelement, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items. Further, the use of “may” whendescribing embodiments of the present invention relates to “one or moreembodiments of the present invention.” Also, the term “exemplary” isintended to refer to an example or illustration.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative termsshould be understood as terms which include different directions ofconfigurative elements in addition to directions illustrated in thefigures when using or operating the inventive concept.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, or section within the technical idea of the presentdisclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to belimiting of the described example embodiments of the present invention.As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,”“including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The embodiments in the detailed description will be described withschematic cross-sectional views and/or plan views as ideal exemplaryviews of the inventive concept. Accordingly, shapes shown in theexemplary views may be modified according to manufacturing techniquesand/or allowable errors. Therefore, the embodiments of the inventiveconcept are not limited to the specific shapes illustrated in theexemplary views and may include other shapes that may be createdaccording to manufacturing processes unless specifically notedotherwise. Areas exemplified in the drawings have general properties andare used to illustrate a specific shape of a semiconductor packageregion. Thus, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinventive concept.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed below in more detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept, and FIG. 2 is a view illustratingthe display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in an outwardly folded (orout-folded) state.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 1000 has a rectangularshape having a short side (a first side) in a first direction DR1 and along side (a second side) in a second direction DR2 crossing the firstdirection DR1. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are notlimited to this shape of the display apparatus 1000. For example,display apparatuses according to other embodiments of the inventiveconcept may have various suitable shapes.

The display apparatus 1000 may be a flexible display apparatus 1000. Forexample, the display apparatus 1000 may be folded or unfolded withrespect to a folding axis FX (e.g., a folding axis FX extending in areference direction). The display apparatus 1000 may be a folding-type(foldable) display apparatus 1000. In an embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the folding axis FX extends in (is parallel to) the firstdirection DR1.

The display apparatus 1000 may be divided into a plurality of areasbased on how the display apparatus 1000 is folded (e.g., according tothe folding action or about a folding axis). For example, the displayapparatus 1000 may be divided into a folding area FA and one or morenon-folding areas NFA, each of which are arranged adjacent each other ona plane. The folding area FA is an area to which a folding stress isapplied according to the folding action. In the illustrated embodiment,the folding area FA of the display apparatus 1000 is defined between twonon-folding areas NFA, and the folding area FA overlaps the folding axisFX.

The display apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of theinventive concept may be a rollable display apparatus that may be woundwith respect to a rotation axis.

Also, while the display apparatus 1000 in the illustrated embodiment isshown as having one folding area FA, the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. According to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the display apparatus 1000 may have a plurality of foldingareas.

According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the displayapparatus 1000 may not include the non-folding areas NFA (e.g., theentire display apparatus 1000 may be foldable).

According to embodiments of the inventive concept, various suitabletypes of display apparatuses having a range of flexibility may be used.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display apparatus shown inFIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′in FIG. 1.

Further referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the display apparatus 1000 includesa display module 100, a support member 200, and a protective member 300.

The display module 100 may be divided into an active area AR and aperipheral area NAR on a plane defined by the first direction DR1 andthe second direction DR2. The active area AR is defined at a centralportion of the display module 100. The peripheral area NAR is disposedadjacent to the active area AR. The peripheral area NAR may surround(e.g., may surround a periphery of) the active area AR. In theillustrated embodiment, the peripheral area NAR has a frame shapesurrounding (e.g., surrounding a periphery of) the active area AR.

The display module 100 includes a display member 110 and an inputdetection member 120.

The display member 110 may be a bottom-most layer (e.g., a base or basallayer) on which the input detection member 120 is disposed. For example,the display member 110 may be or may include an insulation substrate oran insulation film. The display member 110 displays an image IM (referto, for example, FIG. 1) in the active area AR.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the display apparatus 1000 is out-folded(outwardly folded) with respect to the folding axis FX, the active areaAR is exposed to the outside and the display apparatus 1000 may displaythe image IM even in a folded state (e.g., the displayed image IM may bevisible to a user).

The support member 200 is disposed below the display module 100 (e.g.,below the display module 100 in an emission direction) to support thedisplay module 100. The support member 200 may have strength greaterthan that of the display module 100. For example, the support member 200may include a metallic material.

The support member 200 includes one or more support plates 210 and afolding part 220. The support plate 210 overlaps the non-folding areaNFA of the display module 100. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport plates 210 are disposed to respectively overlap, in a one-to-onemanner, the non-folding areas NFA.

The folding part 220 overlaps the folding area FA. On a plane, thefolding part 220 has a surface area corresponding to that of the foldingarea FA. The folding part 220 includes a plurality of joint portions JMadjacent each other in the second direction DR2. Each of the jointportions JM has a bar shape extending in the first direction DR1, andeach of the joint portions JM is connected to an adjacent joint portionJM in the second direction DR2. A shape of the folding parts 220 will bedescribed below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B.

The protective member 300 is disposed between the display module 100 andthe support member 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the protectivemember 300 has a sheet shape. When the display apparatus 1000 is folded,the protective member 300 prevents or reduces damage to the displaymodule 100 by the folding part 220 of the support member 200.

The protective member 300 may have a strength greater than that of thedisplay module 100 and equal to or less than that of the support member200. The protective member 300 may include a material having arelatively high thermal expansion rate. For example, the protectivemember 300 may include a metallic material, such as an iron-nickel(Fe—Ni) alloy or stainless steel. However, the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. According to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the protective member 300 may include a polymer resin. Forexample, the protective member 300 may be a photopolymer resin or athermosetting resin. For example, the protective member 300 may includepolypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Poly Carbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (TAC),and/or cyclo-olefin polymer (COP).

The display apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may further include an adhesion member AD disposed between theprotective member 300 and the support member 200. The adhesion member ADattaches the protective member 300 to the support member 200. Accordingto an embodiment of the inventive concept, the protective member 300 mayinclude a thermosetting resin.

In an embodiment in which the adhesion member AD is omitted, theprotective member 300 may be integrated with the folding part 220. Forexample, the protective member 300 and the joint portions JM of thefolding part 220 may be integrated with each other through an injectionmolding process.

FIG. 5 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the display module shownin FIGS. 1-3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display member 110 includes a base layer BSL, apixel layer PXL, and a protective layer PTL. The base layer BSL definesa rear surface of the display module 100. The base layer BSL may be madeof a flexible material.

The pixel layer PXL is disposed on the base layer BSL. The pixel layerPXL includes a plurality of pixels. The pixels receive an electricalsignal to realize the image IM.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the kind of thedisplay member 110 may be determined on the basis of the constitution ofthe pixel layer PXL. The display member 110 may be a liquid crystaldisplay panel, an organic light emitting display panel, anelectrophoretic display panel, an electrowetting display panel, orvarious suitable display panels capable of displaying an image. That is,the display member 110 may include various suitable display elements andis not limited to any one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating one pixel of thedisplay apparatus.

Further referring to FIG. 6, the display member 110 may be an organiclight emitting display panel. Accordingly, one pixel PXij includes oneor more thin-film transistors, one or more capacitors, and one or moredisplay elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the pixel PXij includesa first thin-film transistor TFT1, a second thin-film transistor TFT2, acapacitor Cap, and an organic light emitting diode OLED.

The first thin-film transistor TFT1 includes a control electrodeconnected to an i-th scan line SLi, an input electrode connected to aj-th data line DLj, and an output electrode. The first transistor TR1outputs a data signal applied to the j-th data line DLj in response to ascan signal applied to the i-th scan line SLi.

The capacitor Cap includes a first capacitor electrode connected to thefirst thin-film transistor TFT1 and a second capacitor for receiving afirst power voltage ELVDD. The capacitor Cap charges (stores) a chargecorresponding to a difference between the first power voltage ELVDD anda voltage corresponding to a data signal received from the firstthin-film transistor TFT1.

The second thin-film transistor TFT2 includes a control electrodeconnected to the output electrode of the first thin-film transistor TFT1and the first capacitor electrode of the capacitor Cap, an inputelectrode for receiving the first power voltage ELVDD, and an outputelectrode. The output electrode of the second thin-film transistor TFT2is connected to the organic light emitting diode OLED.

The second thin-film transistor TFT2 controls a driving current flowingin the organic light emitting diode OLED in correspondence with thevoltage stored in the capacitor Cap. According to the amount of chargecharged in the capacitor Cap, a turn-on time of the second thin-filmtransistor TFT2 is determined. Generally, the output electrode of thesecond thin-film transistor TFT2 provides a lower voltage than the firstpower voltage ELVDD to the organic light emitting diode OLED.

The organic light emitting diode OLED includes a first electrodeconnected to the second thin-film transistor TFT2 and a second electrodefor receiving a second power voltage ELVSS. The organic light emittingdiode OLED may include a light emitting pattern disposed between thefirst and second electrodes.

The organic light emitting diode OLED emits light during a turn-oninterval of the second thin-film transistor TFT2. The light emitted fromthe organic light emitting diode OLED has a color that is determined bya material forming the light emitting pattern. For example, the color ofthe light emitted from the organic light emitting diode OLED may be red,green, blue, or white.

The protective layer PTL is disposed on the pixel layer PXL to cover thepixel layer PXL. The protective layer PTL electrically insulates thepixel layer PXL from the input detection member 120.

For example, the protective layer PTL may be an encapsulation layerencapsulating the pixel layer PXL. The protective layer PTL may includea plurality of laminated organic films and/or inorganic films.

The protective layer PTL may be a planarization layer for planarizing atop surface of the pixel layer PXL. The protective layer PTL may havevarious shapes and is not limited to any one embodiment.

The input detection member 120 is disposed on the protective layer PTL.The input detection member 120 may have an active area AR substantiallyoverlapping an area at where the pixel layer PXL is disposed.

The input detection member 120 detects an external input provided to theactive area AR of the display module 100.

The above-described external input may be provided in various manners.In FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment in which the external input inputted bya portion of a user's body (e.g., a finger) is detected are illustrated.The embodiments are exemplarily illustrated, and the external inputprovided to the input detection member 120 is not limited to any onemanner. According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, theexternal input may be inputted through an optical, contacting, ormagnetic manner.

The input detection member 120 may include an input detection cellincluding a plurality of input detection sensors for detecting theexternal input, driving wirings for applying an electric signal to theinput detection cell or for transmitting the electric signal generatedby the input detection cell to the outside, and pads. The pads may beconnected to the display member 110 or to an external power supplydevice.

The input detection member 120 may detect the external input throughvarious methods. For example, the input detection member 120 may bedriven as a capacitive type, a resistive film type, or a coordinaterecognition type.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the display apparatus 1000 is out-foldedwith respect to the folding axis FX such that the active area AR isexposed to the outside, the display apparatus 1000 may detect theexternal input even in the folded state.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a folding area of the display apparatus inthe outwardly folded state. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the jointportions, and FIGS. 8B and 8C are enlarged views of the folding part.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8A-8C, each of the joint portions JM of thefolding part 220 has a bar shape extending in the first direction DR1.Also, each of the joint portions JM may have a reverse trapezoidalcross-sectional shape.

For example, each of the joint portions JM includes a support surfaceUS, a bottom surface BS, and a plurality of side surfaces SS and FS. Thesupport surface US is a surface supporting the display module 100. Thesupport surface US has a flat plate shape. The bottom surface BS isopposite to the support surface US. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport surface US has a surface area greater than that of the bottomsurface BS.

The side surfaces SS and FS extend between (connect) the support surfaceUS to the bottom surface BS. In the illustrated embodiment, when thedisplay apparatus 1000 is folded, a distance between the adjacent sidesurfaces SS of the joint portions JM from among the side surfaces SS andFS of the joint portions JM may decrease.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the folding part220 may further include a plurality of connection members CM.

For example, each of the connection members CM may have a bar shape.Each of the connection members CM may include a plurality of screws. Thescrews are disposed on opposite sides of each of the connection membersCM. The screws may extend in the first direction DR1.

Also, each of the joint portions JM may include grooves G (e.g.,openings or blind openings). Each of the grooves G is recessed inwardfrom each of both side surfaces FS of each of the joint portions JM inthe first direction DR1. The grooves G are defined more adjacent to(nearer to) the support surface US than to the bottom surface BS on theside surfaces FS of each of the joint portions JM.

The connection member CM connects two adjacent ones of the jointportions JM to each other. For example, one of the screws of theconnection member CM is inserted into the groove G of one of the jointportions JM, and the other of the screws of the connection member CM isinserted into the groove G of another one of the joint portions JMdisposed adjacent to the one of the joint portions JM.

The connection member CM may rotate with respect to each of the screws.Accordingly, when the display apparatus 1000 is folded with respect tothe folding axis FX, the joint portions JM connected to the connectionmember CM rotate (e.g., rotate in a reference direction) and the foldingpart 220 may be folded.

Although in the illustrated embodiment two grooves G are defined in eachof the side surfaces FS of each of the joint portions JM, embodiments ofthe inventive concept are not limited to a particular number of thegrooves G in the joint portions JM. For example, according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, three or more grooves G may bedefined in each of the side surfaces FS of each of the joint portions JMin the first direction DR1.

Also, although each of the joint portions JM is illustrated as includingthe grooves G, and the connection member CM includes the screws,embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. Accordingto another embodiment of the inventive concept, protruding portions maybe provided on each of the side surfaces FS of each of the jointportions JM in the first direction DR1 and the connection member CM mayinclude openings (e.g., holes). In this embodiment, the joint portionsJM may be connected to each other by the connection member CM byinserting the protruding portions into the openings in the connectionmember CM.

According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the foldingpart 220 may not include the connection members CM. In this embodiment,an elastic member may be disposed between the joint portions JM. Theelastic member may connect the joint portions JM to each other. Althougha distance between the joint portions JM varies, the folding part 220may be easily folded about the elastic member.

According to the illustrated embodiment, when the display apparatus 1000is out-folded with respect to the folding axis FS to have a curvatureRC, the support surfaces US of the joint portions JM may not form acontinuous, smooth shape or surface. For example, when the displayapparatus 1000 is folded, the support surfaces US that are adjacent toeach other may have slopes that are different from each other.Accordingly, on a cross-section parallel to the folding axis FS, a cusppoint CP or change in slope may be formed between the adjacent supportsurfaces US. The cusp point CP is a sharp point at which surfaces havingdifferent slopes meet each other on the cross-section.

In the illustrated embodiment, two cusp points CP are formed betweeneach of the support surfaces US. However, when adjacent ones of thesupport surfaces US contact each other, only one cusp point CP may beformed between the adjacent support surfaces US.

Also, when the display apparatus 1000 is out-folded, a folding stress TSmay be applied to the folding area FA as a tensile stress. Due to thefolding stress, pressure may be applied in a direction from the foldingpart 220 to the display module 100.

When the protective member 300 is not provided between the displaymodule 100 and the support member 200 (e.g., when the protective member300 is omitted), a pressing phenomenon (e.g., pressure) may be generatedon the display module 100 by the joint portions JM of the folding part220 disposed on the folding area FA. For example, the pressure mayconcentrate in the display module 100 at the cusp points CP formedbetween the support surfaces US of the joint portions JM, causing stripeshaped damage to the display module 100. As a difference between slopesof the adjacent support surfaces US increases, a magnitude of thepressure concentrated on the cusp points CP increases. However,according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, when the protectivemember 300 is disposed between the display module 100 and the supportmember 200, the pressure is uniformly or substantially uniformlydistributed. Accordingly, although pressure is applied to the displaymodule 100 by the folding part 220, the display module 100 may not bedamaged.

As a result, the display apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment ofthe inventive concept may have improved durability.

FIGS. 9A-11C are views illustrating folding parts according to otherembodiments of the inventive concept. In describing FIGS. 9A-11C,descriptions of components that are the same or substantially similar tothose described with respect to previously-described embodiments, forexample, components having the same reference indicators as thosedescribed in connection with previously-described embodiments, may beomitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C, each joint portion JM-1 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept may have a rectangularcross-sectional shape. For example, a bottom surface BS1 may have asurface area equal to or substantially equal to that of a supportsurface US1.

In this embodiment, grooves G-1 are defined to be more adjacent to thebottom surface BS1 than to the support surface US1 on each side surfaceFS1 of the joint portions JM-1. In this embodiment, when a folding part220-1 is folded, a distance between the side surfaces SS1 of the jointportions JM-1 may increase.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C, each joint portion JM-2 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept has a cross-sectional shapein which corners between a support surface US2 and each side surface SS2extending between the support surface US2 and a bottom surface BS2 arechamfered.

For example, each of the joint portions JM-2 further includes chamferedsurfaces CS2. The chamfered surfaces CS2 connect (or extend between) theside surfaces SS2 to the support surface US2.

A difference between slopes of the chamfered surface CS2 and the supportsurface US2 may be less than that between slopes of the side surfacesSS2 and the support surface US2.

According to the illustrated embodiment, because the corners of thesupport surfaces US2 of the joint portions JM-2 are chamfered, when adifference between the slope of the support surface US2 and the supportsurface US2 adjacent thereto decreases, a phenomenon in which a pressureis concentrated at both edges of each of the support surfaces US2 may berelieved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C, each support surface US3 of each jointportion JM-3 according to another embodiment of the inventive conceptmay have a curved shape. For example, the support surface US3 has anupwardly protruding shape. In this embodiment, although a cusp point isformed between adjacent support surfaces US3, pressure may not beconcentrated at the cusp point. For example, because the pressure isapplied at the protruding portion of the support surface US3, thepressure applied between the support surfaces US3 may decrease or may bereduced. Thus, according to this embodiment, a phenomenon in which thedisplay module 100 is damaged by the support member 200 may be moreeffectively reduced or prevented.

In addition, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited toeach of the joint portions having the same shape. For example, each ofthe joint portions may have various suitable shapes.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept. In describing FIG. 12,descriptions of components that are the same or substantially similar tothose described with respect to previously-described embodiments, forexample, components having the same reference indicators as thosedescribed in connection with previously-described embodiments, may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 12, a protective member 300-4 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept includes a first portion 310 and oneor more second portions 320.

The first portion 310 overlaps the folding area FA. The second portions320 overlap the non-folding area NFA. In this embodiment, a number ofsecond portions 320 are provided to correspond to a number of thenon-folding areas NFA. In the illustrated embodiment, two secondportions 320 respectively correspond to two non-folding areas NFA.Opposite edges of the first portion 310 are connected to the secondportions 320 so that the first portion 310 and the second portions 320are integrated with each other.

The first portion 310 is disposed between the display module 100 and thefolding part 220, and each of the second portions 320 is disposedbetween the display module 100 and the support plate 210.

According to an embodiment, the first portion 310 may be made of amaterial that is different from that of the second portion 320. Forexample, the first portion 310 may have strength that is less than thatof the second portion 320. Also, the first portion 310 may have athermal expansion rate greater than that of the second portion 320.Thus, the folding part 220 may be easily folded. For example, a displayapparatus 1000-4 including the protective member 300-4 may have improvedfolding characteristics.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept.

In describing FIG. 13, descriptions of components that are the same orsubstantially similar to those described with respect topreviously-described embodiments, for example, components having thesame reference indicators as those described in connection withpreviously-described embodiments, may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, each support plate 210-5 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept may have a thickness greaterthan that of a folding part 220-5. Accordingly, on a cross-section, astep (e.g., a stepped portion) may be formed between upper surfaces ofthe support plates 210-5 and the folding part 220-5.

A protective member 300-5 is disposed between the folding part 220-5 andthe display module 100. On a plane, the protective member 300-5 may havea surface area equal to or substantially equal to that of the foldingarea FA. Accordingly, the protective member 300-5 may be disposedbetween the support plates 210-5 on the plane.

A display apparatus 1000-5 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude an adhesion member AD-5. The adhesion member AD-5 is disposedbetween the protective member 300-5 and the folding part 220-5. On theplane, the adhesion member AD-5 has a surface area equal to orsubstantially equal to that of the protective member 300-5.

A sum of thicknesses (e.g., an overall thickness) of the protectivemember 300-5 and the folding part 220-5 is equal to or substantiallyequal to a thickness of the support plates 210-5 (e.g., the protectivemember 300-5 fills the step formed between the upper surfaces of thesupport plates 210-5 and the folding part 220-5). Accordingly, the uppersurface of each of the support plates 210-5 may contact a bottom surfaceof the display module 100 on the non-folding area NFA.

According to this embodiment of the inventive concept, the displayapparatus 1000-5 has improved durability. Because the protective member300-5 is disposed between the display module 100 and the support member200-5, the phenomenon in which the display member is damaged due to thefolding stress applied between the support member and the display membermay be prevented or reduced. Thus, the durability of the displayapparatus 1000-5 may be improved.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one having ordinary skilled in the artwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of thepresent invention is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display modulehas a folding area and a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area;a support member below the display module, the support membercomprising: a plurality of joint portions, each of the plurality ofjoint portions having a support surface supporting the display module, abottom surface opposite the support surface, and a plurality of sidesurfaces extending between the support surface and the bottom surface;and a plurality of connection members respectively connecting adjacentones of the joint portions to each other; and a protective memberbetween the display module and the support member, wherein theprotective member has a first portion overlapping the folding area and asecond portion overlapping the non-folding area, wherein the firstportion comprises a material different from that of the second portion,wherein each of the joint portions comprises a plurality of grooves oneach of the side surfaces, the plurality of grooves being adjacent tothe support surface, and wherein each of the plurality of connectionmembers extends into one of the grooves in each of two adjacent ones ofthe joint portions.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesupport member has a folding part overlapping the folding area andcomprises a support plate connected to the folding part and overlappingthe non-folding area, wherein the display module is configured to befolded about a folding axis at the folding area, wherein the jointportions are at the folding part of the support member, extend parallelto the folding axis, and are connected to each other, and.
 3. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 2, wherein the joint portions connected tothe connection members are rotated by the connection member to allow thefolding part to be folded.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein,when the support member is folded, a cusp point is formed betweenadjacent ones of the support surfaces on a cross-section.
 5. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the first portion has a strength that isless than that of the second portion.
 6. The display apparatus of claim2, wherein the support member has a thickness greater than that of thefolding part.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottomsurface is nearer to the folding axis than the support surface.
 8. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support surface has a surfacearea greater than that of the bottom surface.
 9. The display apparatusof claim 8, wherein each of the joint portions has a reverse trapezoidalcross-sectional shape.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 7, whereincorners between the support surface and the side surfaces have achamfered shape.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein each ofthe joint portions has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
 12. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support surface comprises acurved surface.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingan adhesion member between the support member and the protective memberto couple the support member to the protective member.
 14. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective member has a strengthgreater than that of the display module and equal to or less than thatof the support member.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 1, the firstportion has a thermal expansion rate greater than that of the secondportion.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protectivemember has a surface area equal to that of the folding area.
 17. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display module comprises: adisplay member configured to display an image; and an input detectionmember on the display member and configured to detect an external input,the input detection member comprising a plurality of input detectionsensors.